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Criminal Prosecutions.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2004

Thursday, 25 March 2004

Ceisteanna (130)

John Deasy

Ceist:

130 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of times which the amendment effected by section 5 of the Criminal Justice Act 1999 has been availed of since its introduction; if he has satisfied himself with that; the plans he has to ensure greater use of the mandatory sentence; and if he has further satisfied himself that the measure has been effective in countering the activities of drug dealers. [9409/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 6 November 2003, the number of persons convicted under section 15(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 and 1984, as inserted by the Criminal Justice Act 1999, since it became law on 26 May 1999, stood at 276. Under that provision, the number of persons who had received prison sentences of ten years or more by that date stood at 12. More up to date figures on the matter have been sought from the Garda authorities and will be supplied to the Deputy as soon as they are available.

I have already indicated my concern at the low number of sentences of ten years or more imposed and am reviewing the operation of the relevant provisions. That process will be informed by the results of the study which my Department has commissioned into convictions for the new drug-trafficking offence created by the 1999 Act.

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